<p>I want to major in Illustration/Graphic Design at the top art universities, like Art Center, RISD, etc.,, but my parents want me to do pharmacy, so they suggested that I should first get into a university for pharmacy, get a job, and then pay for the art university tuition with the money I get from pharmacy. Is this wise to do? </p>
<p>They strongly don't want me to do art at all, and are pushing me into pharmacy, which I don't really want to do, but them being from an asian country, are very persistant into getting what they want, which is to get me into a stable career (like pharmacy <em>sigh</em>). They tell me that money is everything in life and that I won't get a stable job in art to pay back the tuition for the art uni., and that I won't have a comfortable life with an unstable art career.</p>
<p>Are you aware that becoming a pharmacist normally requires a minimum of SIX years of college – two years of specific pre-professional courses and then a four-year professional program? And that many people take a year-long residency after getting their Pharm. D. degree. So with your parent’ plan, it would be a long, long time (six or seven years) before you get to take your art/design classes – if ever.</p>
<p>Devoting that much of your life to something that you are not at all interested in does not bode well. Rather than a “stable” career, I think a more appropriate word would be “stressful” if it’s not what you want.</p>
<p>i was scared of art school because i thought id be that "starving artist" trying to sell people my stuff in the alleys but its really not like that. if art/illustration is truely your passion, just do it and dont look back. the worst thing that could possibly happen to you is major in something you dont like and regret/hate your job for the rest of your life. if you cant wake up and still love it after 30 years, then that "aint it." </p>
<p>do what you love and you'll get what you need (money will follow.) id say a better question is, are you sure art and design is your passion?</p>
<p>there's art and then there is design; if you want to make millions get involved in virtual community research and design. start with a degree in computer science. programmers are going to be part of the artistic community of the future.</p>
<p>Ha, I ran into somewhat of the same problem!</p>
<p>What grade are you in? Take some initatives about what you wanna get into and present it to them. I have Asian parents too, but I've been pushing getting into the art industry since freshmen year or so (took summer prep classes at the SF Academy of Art, spoke to a number of animators/graphic designers/etc, visited different art colleges, etc). Your parents WILL eventually see that you're taking strong interest and initatives. </p>
<p>Going by what your parents state, they probably aren't too familiar with the current art industry. Make a statement and tell them the difference between (Fine) Art (which is typically the "starving artist" they most likely think about) and Design (which is what you want to get into and serves to provide ideas to entertainment/household/automotive/etc industries). </p>
<p>Art IS pretty competetive though, the best are really good, and the bad don't really do much of anything. But if art is your life and obsession (NOT hobby that you do once in awhile or something that you do jus to reap compliments), then you'll be good. </p>
<p>Being a pharmacist doesn't neccessarily mean that you'll be successful either, especially if you detest it.</p>
<p>thank you all so much!
first of all, I'm a sophmore in high school, and yes, art would be my passion. My parents think that it's a "hobby", but I don't see it as that way. I love working with all kind of mediums, and I could go on and on about how I love art..=)</p>
<p>Also, I really do want to take classes, talk to other artists, and visit colleges...=( but everytime I bring up any mention of art, my parents shoot me down, saying how then their money from all those music lesson/math lesson/etc. they've spent on me goes to waste if I don't repay them back with a good career to make up for all the money they've spent on me, and how I'm being so ungrateful, etc. etc. </p>
<p>Some of their major concerns:
-that if I join a company, the company will fire me in a few years to get more fresher, more up-to-date and talented artists. Then what would I do?</p>
<p>-they think that after I graduate the art college/university, with my career, I wouldn't be able to effectively pay for my student loans and etc.</p>
<p>icemistral: I sympathize with your problem. My daughter, now a HS senior, is an artist, and also very good academically. Until recently, she was set to go to our excellent state university. However, she had a realization that she does not want to pursue academics, wants to pursue her art(s), learning new media, and eventually open a store/gallery of some sort. As hard as it is for us parents to contemplate such a sudden change, we are supporting her in this. At least we are supporting her taking a year off for independent study. If we weren't convinced that she does have the drive and learning skills to do this (at least to explore possibilities and make a good decision), we would not support it. One thing that we are doing is having an agreement (like a contract), written down, which sets forth the expectations for the year, activities that she will be doing, etc. It's not rigid, but at least ensures that we are all thinking the same things. And she will get a job, preferably in a store similar to what she wants, but if not that, in a retail business. Part of her education will be interviewing small business owners. We, as parents, are perhaps more flexible than your parents. Can't help you there. But the advise from taskinclude89, about taking initiatives, is excellent. You need to demonstrate not only your strong interest in your passion, but your ability to take initiative on your own, and follow through. One of your parents' concerns seems to be that you will pay them back. Perhaps you could offer to take out at least some of the loans in your name. Of course there are art scholarships as well as academic scholarships. Does your HS have a strong art program? Are you one of the top artists in your school? If so, you should talk to your teachers and look into scholarships at art schools. Also research some specific jobs that you might get in illustration and design and show your parents how much money can be made. I'm sorry I can't tell you how to change your parents, but it's your life after all (like my daughter's), and you have to live with the decisions that are made. You might as well be the one who makes them. Good luck.</p>
<p>I agree-
do whatever makes you happy. My father has an engineering degree with business masters from Harvard... not exactly art-minded. However, I knew I had a talent for design and I knew that a 'practical' career (his words) was not something I wanted to do everyday of my life... so, I worked my ass off- designed my ass off- and have more than proven my capability as a designer, and a professional... making extremely good money. </p>
<p>It's entirely about ambition- you will get as far as you push yourself... and assuming you have the basic artistic nature required, you can develop it and really go anywhere. There is PLENTY of work available, from my experience... it just takes drive :)</p>
<p>Do whatever makes you happy. Trust me, you'll always come back to this sooner or later. </p>
<p>My mom was like that. Her passion was interior design but her parents didn't steer her in that direction. She ended up as a nutrionist then later as a flight attendant. Those jobs were great but she never really felt satisfied, as if there was something missing. Well, when she was 40, she finally decided to go back to school and get a diploma in Interior Design. It was expensive and long but in the end, it really made her happy. She's now a consultant for IKEA.</p>
<p>Her advice to me was to do what you love the most because when you face challenges and obstacles (and trust me you will), you wouldn't easily give up. She saw many people in her class that just dropped out at the first sign of difficulty because it wasn't their passion. </p>
<p>If art/design is your passion, you wouldn't mind going through all the hardships it might throw you. It takes A LOT of hard work but if you hang in there, I think you'll end up making a decent living out of something you really love doing.</p>
<p>I think "art" has changed tremendously since your parents were in school. At one time, a degree in art probably meant spending the rest of your life in poverty. But today, ESPECIALLY with digital media and graphic design, there are whole new careers that your parents never could imagine.</p>